Land Acknowledgement
Today, the University of North Dakota rests on the ancestral lands of the Pembina and Red Lake Bands of Ojibwe and the Dakota Oyate - presently existing as composite parts of the Red Lake, Turtle Mountain, White Earth Bands, and the Dakota Tribes of Minnesota and North Dakota.
We acknowledge the people who resided here for generations and recognize that the spirit of the Ojibwe and Oyate people permeates this land. As a university community, we will continue to build upon our relations with the First Nations of the State of North Dakota - the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Nation, Spirit Lake Nation, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
University of North Dakota Land Acknowledgement Statement
The UND Land Acknowledgement
Our Culture Experts
The University Land Acknowledgement was developed through the expertise of many cultural leaders, experts, and elders. The Land Acknowledgement would not have been possible without the support and knowledge from the following individuals:
- Barb Anderson, Program Coordinator, Recruitment and Retention of American Indians into Nursing. Member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians
- Cynthia Joy Azure, Cultural Instructor, Turtle Mountain Community College. Member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
- Deb Wilson, Director of Recruitment and Retention of American Indians into Nursing. Member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation.
- Dr. Donald Warne, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / Director of Indians Into Medicine / Director of the Master of Public Health Program. Member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe.
- Kade Ferris, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians Tribal Historic Preservation Officer and Tribal Archaeologist. Member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
- Kara Anderson, Prospective Student Academic Advisor, Recruitment of American Indians into Nursing. Member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
- Kathleen Fredericks, College Coordinator for Indians Into Medicine. Member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation.
- Keith Malaterre, Recruitment & Advising Specialist, Student Diversity & Inclusion. Member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
- Leslie Peltier, Social Science and Indian Studies Professor, Turtle Mountain Community College. Member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
- Michael Peters, member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Nation.
- Richard LaFromboise, Cultural Teacher. Member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
- Tyson Jeannotte, member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
Co-Authors
- Dr. Stacey Borboa-Peterson, Director of The Hilyard Center
- Keith Malaterre, Recruitment & Advising Specialist, The Hilyard Center. Member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
When to Use the Land Acknowledgement
The Land Acknowledgement Statement should be spoken or printed in its entirety. The Statement should not be altered or rewritten. The Acknowledgement may be shared at events such as official University ceremonies, critical conversations, performances, and/or conferences, as official University ceremonies, critical conversations, performances, and/or conferences, as determined by the event coordinators. University faculty, staff, and student organizations are welcome to use the Acknowledgement when deemed appropriate.
Why We Have a Land Agreement
It is important to understand the history that has brought people to the land on which they reside. A Land Acknowledgement Statement seeks to show respect, recognition, and gratitude to Indigenous Peoples who call the land home.
Pronunciations
Arikara (uh-rih-kah-ruh)
Chippewa (chip - pe - wa)
Hidatsa (hi - dat - sa)
Mandan (man - dan)
Ojibwe (oh - jib - wā)
Oyate (oy - ah - tay)
Pembina (pem-buh-nah)
Sioux (sü)
Sisseton-Wahpeton (sis - se - ton, wah-pe-ton)